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Faster results for next VI general elections?

Supervisor of Elections for the Elections System of the Virgin Islands (USVI) Mrs Caroline F. Fawkes; Business Development Manager of Election Systems & Software, Willie G. Wesley Jr.; Supervisor of Elections for the Virgin Islands Juliette Penn and Sheri Menges of ES&S are pictured with the DS200 tabulator. Photo: GIS/Colene A. Penn

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - While most residents and political aspirants are gearing up for a snap election before year’s end, the Office of the Election Supervisor is ensuring that the results of the next poll is timely.

In a Government Information Services (GIS) press release issued today May 9, 2018, stated that “discussions are on the table for the use of tabulating machines to tally election votes.”

Government spokeswomen Colene A. Penn said, “The Office of the Deputy Governor and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections received a demonstration of the DS200 tabulator, from the Business Development Manager of Election Systems & Software (ES&S), Willie G. Wesley Jr. of the USA."

Supervisor of Elections, Ms Juliette Penn, described the visit as productive and of great benefit to the Territory. She shared that the new proposal can drastically reduce tallying time according to the press statement.

Faster results via technology

Supervisor of election Penn added, "The process that we use, the time that we spend counting, especially the At-large votes, will be down to a minimum... the machines that are being offered will be very helpful to us. They will not in any way impede the speed of the voting. As a matter of fact, I think it would enhance it."

During a one-day visit, meetings were held with Deputy Governor David D. Archer, Jr., Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Carolyn Stoutt Igwe; and Supervisor of Elections, Ms Juliette Penn. Also present was the Supervisor of Elections for the Elections System of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), Mrs Caroline F. Fawkes who attested that the USVI has been using the system since 2012.

According to GIS, "The DS200 is a precinct-based scanner and vote tabulator equipped with the latest in ES&S’ patented technology. Fully certified and compliant with EAC guidelines, the DS200 enhances the voting experience for voters and election officials alike."

Election concerns

Over the past three elections 2007, 2011 and 2015 the public, political parties and candidates have complained about the long time the results take especially, the At-Large count.

There have also been concerns about where the pre-Friday voting boxes are kept and who has access to them.

So far only two candidates have declared their intention to run. Former Permanent Secretary and businessman, Julian Willock known as ‘Mr solutions’ and a former National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Shaina M. Smith.

9 Responses to “Faster results for next VI general elections?”

What about elections reform: Voting by cell phone, disclosure of campaign financing, Candidate picture on the ballot paper. Check around these are all changes in other Caribbean islands and in Africa to modernize the electoral system and afford our people better access to good governance.

Those measures will help illiterate voters, so are worthwhile; but I don’t think we need to spend money on electrionic voting machines right now, especially if they work as well as the rest of the technology in the BVI; ie badly.

Undoubtedly, technology could improve the voting process and speed the vote tallying process, reducing it by hours but still within the same day. There must be a high level of confidence in the safety, protection, trust, fairness, ease, accuracy........etc of the vote. Electronic voting must be backed up a paper ballot to facilitate recount, challenges.......etc. Voting machines can malfunction, hacked into, data manipulated...........etc; they are not a panacea for wiping out voting problems.

Moreover, in the US a special counsel is investigating allegation(s) that Russia took action to meddle in the 2016 US Presidential Election; Donald Trump received the majority of the 535 Electorial College votes and was inaugurated 45th president of the US, though he didn’t win the popular vote. Though some call the investigation a witch hunt, it is moving bud speed ahead. Nonetheless, US residents, the world is waiting with bated breath on the Mueller Report. The VI need to proceed with caution and deliberate speed in switching from paper ballots to electronic voting; it must protect the sanctity of one man/one woman vote.

Further, every Virgin Islander should register to vote and vote his/her preference on Election Day; it is a right. Virgin Islanders did not always have the right vote; many sacrificed to secure the right for us to vote. And their sacrifice should not be in vain. We owe them a debt of gratitude to go vote; it is the least we can do to repay them for their sacrifices. If you don’t vote, why complain?

But, I think they fulla shyte, because from last election, and even the one before that, there was this same talk. That’s about it. Talk, talk, talk. Typical Talktola move. Now, when the time is upon us once again , and another possible snap election at that, again there’s that same old garbage talk while our pants still down. No solid parties in place (even though we’ve proved that this party system thing doesn’t work), not even a territorial test run of what they ‘talking’ about. Nothing.
Tortola is just a big joke. With everything.
Get y’all act together mannnn.....

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